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Home > Attractions > Church of Mary Magdalene

Church of Mary Magdalene

Mount of Olives, Jerusalem
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Photo: Church of Mary Magdalene

Visit the renowned “Onion Church”

The Church of Mary Magdalene is a Russian church on the western slopes of the Mount of Olives. The church was nicknamed the Onion Church thanks to its domes shape on its minarets that look like golden onions.

According to the gospels, Mary Magdalene followed Jesus, was present at his crucifixion and resurrection, and is known as “the messenger of the apostles”. Next to the church is a monastery where about thirty nuns of different nationalities live. In addition to the church and the monastery, the area of the complex also includes the Cave of Dormition – a cave located under the foundations of the church, where Saint Peter, Yohanan ben Zebedee, and Jacob ben Zebedee, who accompanied Jesus, fell asleep On his way to Gethsemane.

Photos courtesy of Ministry of Tourism, by Noam Chen

Tue, Thu: 10:00 am - 12.00 pm

Near By (Up to 10 minutes walk)